Beautiful, resilient Northern Ireland welcomes the world

A road sign points the way to The Titanic Quarter in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Belfast's Titanic Quarter is a regeneration area on the original site of the Harland and Wolff shipyard - birthplace of RMS Titanic.

Photograph by: Peter Macdiarmid
, Getty Images

Northern Ireland is a place tinged with poignancy and mystery. A land of great beauty, it has seen its fair share of sorrows and strife. But like its people, it has a natural resilience and this year it is ready to celebrate some important anniversaries.

It's been 100 years since the Titanic rolled off the slipways in Belfast and Northern Ireland's capital is commemorating the event with the Titanic Centenary Festival. This fusion of events throughout April includes plays, music, light shows and exhibits showcasing Belfast's most famous maritime export. The festival officially opens the new memorial garden by the existing Titanic sculpture on the east side of Belfast City Hall as well as Titanic Belfast.

This six-storey, 14,000 sq. m (150,700 sq. ft) complex is located on the original Harland and Wolff shipyards where the RMS Titanic was built. The centre's majestic facade replicates four 27-metre-high hulls created with three thousand shaped panels of silver-anodized aluminum. Visitors take glass elevators to the bridge, where they travel through nine galleries of interactive exhibits recreating the tragic history of the ship, including its final hours.

The Titanic exhibit is only one reason to visit this vibrant but compact city built between three rivers. Belfast has a rich legacy of Georgian, Victoria and Edwardian architecture reflecting its history as an industrial centre. Belfast City Hall was once an international Linen Exchange, and its Baroque Revival towers and lantern-crowned copper dome still dominate the skyline. Other beautiful Victorian buildings also draw tourists today after being converted into chic hotels, restaurants and bars.

The city’s rich heritage is reflected in its many churches. One of the most beautiful structures is St. Anne’s Cathedral, also known as Belfast Cathedral, with its Hiberno-Romanesque facade and beautiful stained glass windows. Another is the twin-spired St. Peter’s Cathedral, an imposing Victorian Gothic Revival building.

The Belfast Festival has long been considered a cultural oasis in the city and it continues to play a part in Belfast’s renaissance. Originally a small gathering on the campus of Queen's University, the festival quickly grew into a major cultural event showcasing Irish artists and musicians. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the festival, and from Oct. 19 to Nov. 3 it promises a wide selection of music, drama, theatre, talks, film, dance and comedy featuring an international roster of artists.

Belfast is also a dynamic centre of European popular music where many genres of music thrive. The Belfast Music Exhibition at the Oh Yeah centre showcases much-loved Irish musicians who have provided the soundtrack to our lives. There is also the kitschy but fun Belfast Music Bus Tour for those who would like to follow in the footsteps of their favourite musicians.

North of Belfast are the ravishing Glens of Antrim, known locally as simply The Glens. These nine valleys start at the Antrim Plateau and end at the Eastern coast. Famous for its breathtaking beauty, it's an area immortalized in hundreds of films and TV series. The first half of the Causeway Coastal Route to the small fishing village of Ballycastle in The Glens is dotted with castles and other historic buildings. Among the many sights there is the Norman Carrickfergus Castle, built in 1180; the Roman site where St Patrick was brought as a slave in 399; Glenarm Castle, the 400-year ancestral home to the McDonnell family; and the supposed haunted 17th-century Ballygally Castle. The small town of Ballycastle is the home to a traditional music festival in late June, the Fleadh Amhran agus Rince Festival, which gathers traditional musicians and dancers to perform Irish song and dance. This is the place to hear authentic Irish music.

Nearby lies Rathlin Island, Ireland's closest point to Scotland. This small limestone and basalt island is speckled with standing stones, cairns, passage tombs, cashels, and ancient church and castle sites. It's been the site of many skirmishes between the Vikings, Scottish, English and Irish and is a natural stop for history buffs.

Just beyond Rathlin lies the Giant's Causeway, a 60-million-year-old volcanic formation of 38,000 basalt columns. These hexagonal stones stretch out as far as the sea with some standing as tall as 12 metres. Popular legend has the giant Finn McCoy using these stones to create his homestead. In the summer of 2012, the National Trust opens the Giant's Causeway Visitor Centre, with interactive exhibits, guides, art galleries and restored trails. If you're up for it, take the 17-kilometre coastal path to the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge. This 20-metre suspended bridge links the mainland to tiny Carrick Island.

South of Belfast, the Mourne Mountains offer still more astonishing scenery. This is a popular destination for hikers and bicyclists who frequently travel along the Mourne Wall. Built between 1904 and 1922, this 35-km granite wall passes over 15 mountains. The view is said to have inspired C.S. Lewis to write his Narnia series.

The Mourne Mountains region is also home to many picturesque villages. On the craggy coast of Carlingford Lough is the tiny village of Rostrevor. It lies at the foot of the Slieve Martin and has the Kilbroney River flowing through it. The village is known for its folk music, particularly the Fiddler's Green Festival. What started off as a small, one day-event has evolved into an internationally acclaimed festival for Irish music fans. This year’s eight-day festival, July 22-29, is celebrating Fiddler’s Green’s 26th anniversary with 200 musical events in a free outdoor venue. The village makes a perfect base for those wishing to spend a few days exploring this area.

A road sign points the way to The Titanic Quarter in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Belfast's Titanic Quarter is a regeneration area on the original site of the Harland and Wolff shipyard - birthplace of RMS Titanic.